11 Tips For Teens And Young Adults With Migraines

Migraine is a debilitating illness which can physically and emotionally disrupt the lives of teens and young adults. If you are a young person suffering from headaches, it is important to understand the difference between a migraine and a regular headache and get a proper diagnosis for your condition. You must also remember that you are not alone in the struggle against migraines as around 15% of the world’s population suffers from migraines.

Here are some helpful tips for dealing with migraines if you have been diagnosed with them:

1) Track your migraines to understand what could be triggering them. These records can also help your doctor better evaluate your treatment plan. You can use migraine apps to make tracking easier.

2) Speak to a parent or guardian about your migraines. Make sure your loved ones are aware of your illness and how it affects your life.

3) It’s ok to relax. Rest when you feel a migraine coming on, especially if you experience migraine with aura (it’s best to not drive and pull over if you begin to experience migraine aura while driving).

4) Plan your school /college days with migraines in mind. Keep your teacher/ professor aware of your migraines and that you may need to be excused when you have an attack.

5) Keep your migraine medication with you at all times. If you take preventative medication, make sure you are diligent about taking it. Set reminders on your phone to ensure that you don’t forget to take your medication.

6) Talk to your friends about your migraines to create awareness in order to lessen the impact on your social life.

7) Be aware of how much time you spend in front of the screen: take breaks after every 30- 40 minutes from the computer, tablets, phones etc.

8) Don’t skip meals and always keep snacks on hand. Skipping meals and hunger can spur migraine attacks.

9) If you are taking contraceptives or plan to do so, make sure you speak to your doctor about how it can affect your migraines

10) While drinking alcohol, make sure you limit your intake and avoid dehydration by drinking water or seltzer between alcoholic drinks.

11) Make sure you get enough sleep. Too much or too little sleep can both be triggers for migraines.

12) Stress can be a major trigger for migraines. When you encounter a stressful situation (studies, exams, projects, college applications, sport meets, personal relationships etc), try different ways to relieve stress like taking breaks, taking naps or taking up a relaxing hobby. Regular exercise and yoga can are also be great stress relievers.

If you have some more tips to share with us, leave them in the comments below.